MA vs RLI: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, MA and RLI are closely matched. RLI offers the higher yield at 1.13%, RLI has the higher dividend-safety score, and MA looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 24% below its share price).
Key facts: MA vs RLI
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, RLI Corp. (RLI) has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.13%, versus 0.57% for Mastercard Incorporated (MA).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MA's dividend safety A (89/100) and RLI's A (99/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, MA has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and RLI for 38.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MA pays out 18% of its earnings as dividends and RLI pays out 16%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, MA's fair-value estimate is 24% below its share price and RLI's fair-value estimate is 48% below its share price, so MA looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MA vs RLI: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ma-vs-rli
| Metric | MA | RLI |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.57% | 1.13% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $0.72 |
| Payout ratio | 18% | 16% |
| Years of growth | 14 yr | 38 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.7% | 5.8% |
| 5-yr total return | 103% | 27% |
| Dividend safety score | 89 (A) | 99 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $483.05 | $33.35 |
| Upside to fair value | -24% | -48% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $556.9B | $5.9B |
| P/E ratio | 35.0 | 15.3 |
Higher yield
RLI
1.13%
Safer dividend
RLI
Grade A
Faster growth
MA
13.7%
Better value
MA
-24% upside
MA vs RLI — FAQ
Is MA or RLI a better dividend stock?
MA and RLI are closely matched. RLI has the higher yield; RLI scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MA or RLI?
RLI has the higher forward dividend yield at 1.13%, versus 0.57% for MA.
Is MA or RLI safer?
RLI has the higher dividend-safety score (99/100 vs 89/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MA or RLI better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, MA looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 24% below its share price (overvalued). For RLI, its fair-value estimate is 48% below its share price.
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.